Guard device for bridges



Aug. 11, 1925. f 1,548,925

M. ZUZEK GUARD DEVICE FOR BRIDGES Filed April 23 19% Patented Aug. 11, 1925.

'i' QEECE.

MIKE ZUZEK, OF ROUNDUP, MONTANA.

GUARD DEVICE FOR BRIDGES.

Application filed April 23, 1924. Serial No. 708,382.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that 1, MIKE ZUZEK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Roundup, in the county of Musselshell and State of Montana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Guard Devices for Bridges, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to guards for protecting bridges, bridge piers and the like, from injury or destruction by drifting wood, ice, or debris.

An important object of the invention is to provide means of the above mentioned character, which is of simplified construction, strong and durable.

A further object of the invention is to provide guard means of the above mentioned character, which is adapted to arrest the movement of a log or the like, traveling sideways toward a bridge or its pier, and to turn the log upon its transverse axis, whereby it will pass endways between the piers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a guard device of the above mentioned character, adapted to cut or break the ice or other debris, into portions which will permit of the same to pass between the piers of the bridge.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figur 1 is a perspective view of a guard device embodying my invention, showing the same in use,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the guard device,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a guard device embodying a modification of the invention,

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on line 55 of Figure 4, and,

Figure 6 is a detail section through a further modification.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 desig nates a bridge, of any well known or preferred construction, supported by piers or piles 11. These piers are suitably spaced,

as shown. As more clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 the guard devices 12 are arranged upon the lip-stream side of the bridge, at suitable distances from the bridge, to properly protect the same. It is preferred that these guard devices be arranged at suitable angles, depending upon the direction from which the current is coming, but preferably always in the face of the current.

Each of the guard devices 12 embodies a plurality of piles 13, which are driven securely into the bed of the river. The tops of the piles 13 are arranged at different elevations, and these piles receive thereon heavy timbers 14 or the like, which may be rigidly secured thereto by any suitable means, such as by heavy bolts. The top members or beams 14 are vertically inclined, and extend downwardly away from the bridge, or in the direction of Lip-stream. It is preferred that the top members 14 have their lower ends positioned below the low water mark and their upper ends above high water mark. If desired, inverted U-shaped straps 15, formed of metal or the like, may straddle the top members or beams 14, and be bolted or rigidly attached to the upper portions of the piles 13. These Ushaped straps serve to effect a powerful union'between the top members and the piles, and also to aid in breaking debris, contacting with the top members 14.

In Figures, 4 and 5, I have shown a modification of the guard device. This guard device embodies the same piles 13, arranged as shown in connection with the first form of the invention. The top member or timber 14, which is rigidly attached to the tops of the piles 13, preferably has its upper surface rounded, for the reception thereon of a guard housing 15, preferably formed of metal, and formed inverted U-shaped in cross section. This guard member is bolted or rigidly attached to the timber 14 and to the ends of the piers 13, by any suitable means, such as bolts or the like. A guard device of this kind, is stronger, and is adapted to withstand greater strains. I also contemplate placing a metal rail 16 upon the housing 15, and rigidly securing the same thereto by any suitable means. This metal rail is equipped with an upstanding pointed blade 17, which is adapted to cut ice, or other debris whereby the same will be broken up into parts adapted to pass between the piers,

In Figure 6 I have shown the guard housing 15 dispensed with,- and the cutting rail 16 mounted directly upon the timber or top member 14.

It is preferred that the spaces between the piers 13 in each guard device, be closed, in order that the debris cannot become caught between these piers, and for this purpose, I provide timbers or boards 17, arranged upon the sides of the piers, and secured thereto by any suitable means. I contemplate using these boards or sheathing with each form of the device.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that should a log or other long heavy obstacle float toward the bridge, the log would contact with one of the guard devices, and travel up the inclined top member of timber, a slight distance, and would be given a turning movement upon its transverse axis, whereby it would be shifted to travel end'ways, between the piers of the bridge.

Further, other debris, including ice or the like, would be cut or broken up into smaller portions, which would pass between the piers of the bridge, without injury thereto.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred embodiments of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size,'and arrangement of parts, may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims. It is also to be understood that the guard member 15 may be used without the cutting rail 16. I also contemplate forming the entire guard memher, or parts thereof, of concrete, the same being suitably anchored to the bed of the river.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A guard device for a bridge arranged upon the upstream side of the bridge, comprising an upstanding supporting structure, an inclined top member carried thereby with its lower end remote from the bridge, a guard housing mounted upon the top member, and a rail mounted upon the guard housing and having an upstanding knife edge.

2. A guard device for a bridge arranged upon the upstream side of the bridge, comprising an upstanding supporting structure, an inclined top member carried thereby with its lower end remote from the bridge, and an inverted U-shaped guard member mounted upon the top member and the upper ends of the supporting structure.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

MIKE ZUZEK. 

